Spring and summer are particularly busy times for Inland Empire property management companies as they deal with extreme weather. Almost yearly, the area is hit by summer storms that bring massive amounts of wind and precipitation. This results in a heightened risk for property damage brought about by flooding and soil erosion, not to mention water pollution coming from domestic and commercial sources.

Property management companies in the Inland Empire are mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to follow certain practices that result in low-impact development. The Inland Empire lies in a corridor with a very fragile ecosystem and thin soils; thus, low-impact development with a focus on flooding and erosion mitigation is key. For inland desert communities that are crisscrossed by water channels, pollution prevention is also important. Below are three stormwater management best practices suggested by the Housing Department for HOAs:

1. Compost blankets and silt fences. Compost blankets are layers of compost applied to hillsides or sloping ground, while silt fences are temporary fences that are built around construction areas. Compost blankets are excellent absorbers of rain energy and reduce erosion due to wind and water. Because they stimulate microbial growth, compost blankets improve the quality of the soil beneath them and provide excellent substrates for vegetation. On the other hand, silt fences control the flow of stormwater from construction areas, protecting the surrounding area from siltation and flooding.

2. Pollution prevention measures. Many HOAs implement the following measures to keep stormwater free of pollution: banning the disposal of carpet cleaning solution and non-biodegradable detergents in street gutters; implementing strict solid waste regulations and collection schedules; and asking owners of leaking vehicles to get their cars checked. These measures are all meant to prevent stormwater from mixing with waste of any form and taking them into main municipal water channels.

3. Natural filtration methods. There are both old and new ways of filtering stormwater before they go into the drainage channels. These include permeable pavement, vegetated swales, and sand filters. Permeable pavements can “absorb” water and filter it down to the sewers, leaving behind solid wastes. Vegetated swales are low-lying tracts of land that act as natural drainage channels; the vegetation catches all sorts of solid pollutants and prevents soil erosion. Finally, sand filters also remove oil and other pollutants from the water before it reaches the drainage system.